OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 14: Golden State Warrior co-owner Joe Lacob and Nicole Curran cheer for the Warriors during their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Oracle Arena on December 14, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. less

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 14: Golden State Warrior co-owner Joe Lacob and Nicole Curran cheer for the Warriors during their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Oracle Arena on December 14, 2010 in Oakland, ... more

That's about all you heard this past week, as the national media tripped over itself to anoint an honest-to-goodness East Coast powerhouse as the team to beat. To summarize the chorus, signing the mercenary pitcher meant one thing: "Thank goodness those freaks from San Francisco won't win it again."

Vegas nodded in agreement, making the Giants a 15-1 longshot to repeat while the Phillies are the odds-on favorite at 3-1.

That's fine by the Giants. By all accounts, the team was downright relaxed at this year's winter meetings, shopping for a backup catcher like the rest of us browse the hardware bin at Sears.

With the rest of the NL West taking a step backward, personnel-wise, the Giants could enjoy a fairly easy trip through the regular season and find themselves in a possible rematch with the vaunted Phillies.

When asked if he'd savor a rematch with Philly, the Giants' owner hedged.

"We shall see. I think it's a redoubtable starting rotation that they have," said Neukom, as only a chap who sports a bow tie could. "I think they will be clear favorites in their division."

The owner went on to spin the Lee signing into good news for the Giants, pointing out that the superstar pitcher signed at a discount because he wanted to get back with a top-flight organization. Neukom hopes the Giants enjoy similar consideration when it comes time to re-sign the likes of TimLincecum, MattCain and MadisonBumgarner.

"They will get expensive. And homegrown discounts are overrated," he said. "But being recognized as a team that does things right will help. It's not only attracting talent, but keeping talent."

For the record, Lincecum is signed through the end of 2011 and will make $13 million in the coming season. Cain is signed through 2012, making $7 million in 2011 and $15 million the next year. Bumgarner can expect to be paid closer to the $414,000 major-league minimum; he won't be eligible for free agency - or even arbitration - for years.

Lacob's courtside manner: Speaking of owners, it was fun to watch new Warriors owner Joe Lacob take in a victory over the Timberwolves this week.

When Reggie Williams broke away in the fourth quarter and slammed one home to put the game out of reach, Lacob jumped out of his courtside seat and pumped his fist. His fiancee, Nicole Curran, was right beside him, clapping her hands and dancing to the music as the teams broke for a timeout.

Throughout the break, Lacob was actually standing on the court, looking like he wanted to run over to the huddle and hug somebody. After years of absentee Warriors ownership, the new guy is engaging the team and its fans openly. It looked the as if Lacob and Curran were having a grand ol' time.

After the Warriors won, breaking a seven-game losing streak, the couple was chatting up injured guard Stephen Curryin the tunnel, asking about his sprained ankle. Curry said he was getting better and commended Lacob's fiancee for her enthusiastic cheering throughout the night. "That was great. We need more of that," Curry said.

Lin's quip: A big crowd of Asian American fans stuck around after the game to hear a few words from backup point guard Jeremy Lin, the Palo Alto native of Taiwanese descent who came to the Warriors this year by way of Harvard. When asked what he made of the gathering, which was advertised only on Facebook, Lin said, "I guess Facebook is dominated by Asians." The crowd roared.

Nevada's nifty, shifty quarterback is coming to San Francisco Jan. 9 to play in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against Boston College.

Young Kaepernick put up astonishing numbers at Nevada, amassing more than 4,000 yards rushing and 9,000 yards passing. And that makes him the first person in NCAA history to do that.

"He's the best-kept secret in college football," said Gary Cavalli, executive director of the Fight Hunger Bowl. "If you compare his statistics to that of Cam Newton, they're virtually the same."

I met with Kaepernick this week and can tell you this: nice young man. I can also tell you that all that scampering was a surprise to him - and his high school coach.

"I talked to my high school coach the other day, and he was blown away with all the yards I've gained on the ground," said Kaepernick sheepishly. "He said I had negative-50 yards rushing in high school. And that's for all four years!"